By Yvonne Nyenhuis
I have it on “good authority” that Donald trump is “secretly a Muslim” and was “born in Kenya!” When we abandon truth, facts and reason the possibilities are endless! It’s a great way to confuse our enemies and each other. Indeed we seem to have decided that freedom of speech allows license to lie and create our own reality.
The Democratic convention in Philadelphia was fun to watch. We found out that there is still love and hope in the world.
President Obama encouraged Americans to “get in the arena” with the politicians. He said “Politics is not a spectator sport! That if we want a government ‘of the people’ we need to take part in the process.”
Hillary Clinton proclaimed, “There is nothing wrong with America that can’t be corrected by what is right in America!”
Michelle Obama made a candid observation. “Every morning I wake up in a house that was built by slaves.” Dramatically she brought into focus that change is possible.
The most poignant moment that stunned us all was the testimony of Kzar Kahn, a Pakistani American lawyer, the father of fallen War Hero Captain Humayun Kahn. Most of us born in the United States take our freedom for granted. Freedom is as much a part of our lives as the air we breathe. President Obama commented to the parents of Humayun that “their son who gave his life for this country represents the finest and best of our young people. (When Donald Trump was asked for his opinion on the interview, he compared the “sacrifice” they made to the “sacrifice” he made – “how hard he worked” building his hotels!) “Their story brings home the insight that immigrants who are often fleeing tyranny and devastation bring to our society. They have a profound respect for the rule of law and our Constitution.
The ascension of Donald Trump to the pinnacle of our election process is a reminder that we have work to do. We need to teach current events, history, and geography in our schools and encourage debate and critical thinking. We must re-awaken a regard for facts, truth and honesty in confronting our problems.
There is a tendency in every society for those in power to manipulate and use those who are vulnerable to their own purpose. It’s called “greed!” In reality, if those aspiring to be “middle class” are able to find jobs, there will be a growing demand for goods and services which will benefit “all” Americans.
The “disenchanted” members of our country are following the “Pied-piper” out of fear and desperation. By supporting Trump they have succeeded in getting attention. We matter. You ignore us at your peril! In this country we have a couple of things going for us, the power of the vote and the underlying structure of the Constitution. We need to continue to bring about change through these means. Clearly violence as we see in countries around the world doesn’t provide a foundation for Peace.